Enforcing Emory by Mickie B. Ashling

Enforcing Emory by Mickie B. Ashling

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I absolutely adored Enforcing Emory. I was drawn in by the premise of the story – an out and proud gay figure skater and a straight (possibly) homophobic hockey player separated by sexual orientation and culture differences falling in love. I could not resist and Ashling did not let me down at all. The author delivered on the premise and then some.

Emory is a force of nature and Nik never stood a chance. Actually despite the beginning of the book and Emory’s father’s reaction to “communists” moving into the neighborhood, Nik never stood a chance against the Lowe family as a whole. Emory is larger than life. He’s an accomplished figure skater who is confident of his abilities, as well he should be as he’s slated to skate at the Olympics in Sochi. On the other hand, Nik is the stereotypical man’s man – the hockey enforcer who discounts figure skating as a sport and Emory as an athlete. That is, until he sees videos of Emory skating and realizes the guy might be a diva, but he’s the real deal when it comes to the ice. I don’t want to say that Emory sets out to seduce the straight boy because although he did set out to seduce Nik, it was more like he recognized something in Nik that Nik wasn’t even aware of about himself. For me, it was equal parts sweet and hot as Nik came to terms with his attraction to Emory and finally allowed himself to act upon it.

Nothing about his relationship with Emory was easy for Nik and the author manages to keep the non-sexual tension high in ways that seem real for the characters. Not only do the guys have to deal with Nik’s concerns about his parents and his career, but Emory faces a level of hate and discrimination he’s never encountered before when he goes to Sochi. The events that unfold while Emory competes in the Olympics left me heartbroken on several levels and completely devastated for Emory. And yet, they both do their best to overcome the obstacles they encounter once they decide they want to see where things will lead. I will say that I was quite surprised at how willing Emory was to keep their relationship a secret for Nik as he tried to figure out how it would affect his budding hockey career and his relationship with his homophobic parents. But it’s his care and concern for Nik that made Emory so lovable and why I said Nik never stood a chance. The fact that Emory brings a highly supportive family with him that adopts Nik as their own makes it even better. I loved how Emory’s father Tom went from using Ruskie as a slur for Nik to it being an endearment for his future son-in-law (that’s my conclusion, not something the author says). Ashling provided the right mix of drama, conflict, sports, hot and sweet sexy fun times, and romance to make Enforcing Emory a highly enjoyable new adult romance. I will have to keep my eye out for more of the author’s work.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Enforcing Emory by Mickie B. Ashling blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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When to Hold Them by G.B. Gordon

When to Hold Them by G.B. Gordon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of the Bluewater Bay series. There hasn’t been a book in the series yet that I haven’t loved and When to Hold Them is no exception when it comes to my enjoyment. However, unlike the previous installments in the series (excluding book eight which I haven’t read yet), I could not put this book down. It was not a matter of simply enjoying the story or being enamored by the characters or being caught up in their unfolding romance. No. I was, for lack of a better word, addicted to this book and it took every bit of self-restraint I had to put it down for a few hours to attend to prior obligations before I was snatching my Kindle back up and reading into the wee hours of the night to finish the other half. And it was so worth the lost hours of sleep.

As I neared the halfway point I finally realized why I couldn’t put this book down – Gordon had literally seduced me with Doran and Xavier’s relationship. I connected with Doran without actually realizing it because what I had in common with his character was not an obvious trait and it was this connection that led to my seduction. Doran is sexually submissive – he craves a strong partner to care for him and take control of his pleasure. Ashamed of his actions that led to him being on probation, he has avoided a romantic relationship because he feels unworthy of love. Yet this doesn’t keep him from fantasizing about the park ranger who fills up at the gas station across the street every week. When he finally works up the courage to cross the street one Sunday so he can talk to the ranger, Doran chickens out when it comes time to speak to him. Unbeknownst to Doran (and the reader at the time), he makes an impression on Xavier and when their paths cross again Xavier takes the initiative to chat with Doran. Although Xavier is relieved when he learns that the age difference is not at large as Doran’s youthful appearance would suggest, he still feels that five years is a tad too much so when Doran flees he doesn’t pursue him. Until their paths cross again. And this is where my seduction began, because as Xavier began to respond to Doran’s signals and needs, I found myself falling under his spell right along with Doran. Xavier’s dominance is subtle and this is likely due in part to it being in response to Doran as well as his personal need to temper his desires because he’s not comfortable with them. But once Xavier came to terms with his needs, I was done for – the sensual domination and submission that occurred between the couple made for a perfect reading experience for me.

I feel I should note that while both characters are quite introspective, their personalities balance out in such a way that it wasn’t overdone angst. Doran is an addict (gambling) and he’s only twenty-two, so his inner thoughts are a tad chaotic between his guilt over what he did, shame for how his behaviors affected his aunt and uncle, resentment about the religious nature of the program he’s been ordered to attend, and fear of being found by the people he owes money to. While this is tempered by his attraction to Xavier, the sense of calmness he experiences in Xavier’s presence, and occasional bursts of joy when good things happen, the positives are quickly overshadowed by his negative thinking. This all made Doran’s character feel so real to me just as Xavier’s self-evaluation did the same for his character. What was truly impressive was that as the author is creating layers upon layers to the two characters and developing their relationship, Gordon also includes a realistic romantic suspense angle that plays out when Doran’s past shows up in Bluewater Bay to collect on his debt. Fortunately Xavier’s knowledge of the area and Doran’s throwing arm meant that the worst-case scenario was not realized. When to Hold Them was an absolute pleasure to read and an excellent addition to the Bluewater Bay series. While it is my first Gordon novel, I plan to check out more of the author’s work in hopes of being seduced again.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the When to Hold Them Tour Stop blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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The Wrong Bird by H.B. Pattskyn

The Wrong Bird by H.B. Pattskyn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Straight up, the cover is what caught my eye – my mother loves peacock feathers so I noticed it right off. But it was the blurb that I couldn’t resist. The Wrong Bird is a short story that is exactly that. The tale of a young man, Seth, who finds himself just far enough on that side of tipsy to re-approach the beauty he met earlier in the evening. Because Seth is intoxicated by both alcohol and the peacock – it’s a Mardi Gras masquerade party after all – he completely misses the verbal clues as to who has caught his eye. Needless to say it’s both amusing as heck and endearing when Seth discovers just how cocky his peacock is while they’re dancing. And yet our straight young man finds he can’t resist Jean and what starts out as a rather sweet misunderstanding turns into an even hotter bout of sex when Seth accepts Jean’s invite to his place. The chemistry between the two worked well and I really liked how Jean kept giving Seth opportunities to “back out” as Jean obviously worried that Seth would suddenly sober up and freak out. That spoke volumes not only about the kind of person Jean was, but also to his past experiences. But the absolute best part was how once the deed was done, it was then Seth’s turn to reassure the previously confident Jean that all was well and he did so admirably. I am quite thankful to have gotten the opportunity to review The Wrong Bird for the blog because otherwise I would have missed out on a rather enjoyable tale because I just don’t buy short stories.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out The Wrong Bird by H.B. Pattskyn blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Don't Stake My Life on It by Bailey Bradford

Don't Stake My Life on It by Bailey Bradford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I know this is only the second book but I am so loving this series. After Tony and Augustin's unconventional romance in My Life Without Garlic I was excited to see what Ms. Bradford had in store for Claude's coven. Don't Stake My Life on It does not disappoint as Radney sets out to prove that he's not the loser or psychotic vampire his stunt with Augustin would indicate. And if along the way he happens to meet someone that captures his attention, well that's all for the better.

Truth be told I really didn't remember who Rad was until mention was made of his encounter with Augustin, which still only left me with a vague recollection of him. As the details of Rad's past are hinted at and revealed I realized that there was far more to him than previously known. While it's pointed out in the book that few vampires had a good experience when turned, we learn that Rad's was worse than most and that his early years were particularly traumatic due to a sadistic sire. Because of this he is squeamish about biting humans and avoids it whenever possible. Yeah, you read that right! A vampire who doesn't like to bite humans. Can you understand why I love this series? Ms. Bradford's characters do not fit the usual vampire romance stereotype. In the same vein (no pun intended), Andrew is not a super sexy human whose body is cut beyond belief. No, he's a slightly nerdy college student with a "soft" body, a big heart, and a double-dog dare from his twin brother to sex it up with the next attractive gay man he meets. It turns out that the attraction is mutual and that makes for one seriously hot make-out session.

While not fraught with the same level of snark as book one, Ms. Bradford insures that there are plenty of amusing moments to lighten the mood when needed. I like the new element she has added with the introduction of the hunters as they present a danger for both the vampires and the humans who love them. The relationship that develops between Rad and Andrew is sweet because they don't jump right in – at least not emotionally – preferring to get to know one another better before making an eternal commitment. I loved their chemistry and how well their personalities complemented one another. The end was great as Claude showed in no uncertain terms why he's the head of their coven. Don't Stake My Life on It was a great combination of humor, sexy fun times, romance, action, and a KILT and I enjoyed every page of it. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to find out who finds their mate next.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

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The Vampire King by Heather Killough-Walden

The Vampire King by Heather Killough-Walden

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The Vampire King was my introduction to Killough-Walden’s writing. The first time I read it, I immediately purchased The Big Bad Wolf Romance Compilation so I could get the background on the werewolves and the series that this book spun-off from. That’s how much I enjoyed the author’s writing – I immediately committed myself to almost one thousand more pages of her writing. I will admit that at the time, I was reading paranormal romances because the sex tends to be hotter due to the mating drive most supernatural creatures possess. And while Killough-Walden can write some seriously hot sex scenes, they are used judiciously as the author focuses on the character development and a storyline usually filled with action and suspense as the forces of good and evil battle it out. The Vampire King is all this and more.

Although I read it prior to the Big Bad Wolf series, we first meet Roman D’Angelo in The Spell (I’m almost positive) and he remains a mystery in The Hunt as the author brought that series to a close while laying the foundation for The Kings series. But it was the sample of The Vampire King and the way in which the Prologue sets the stage for the action that had me finally giving in and buying the book. We actually meet Evie first as she seems to be nearing the end of her ability to hold out against being kidnapped and attacked repeatedly by another vampire who is out for revenge against Roman. Even as I reread the Prologue, I couldn’t help admire Evie’s fortitude in the face of so many changes in such a short time and her refusal to give in to end her suffering. Despite the fact that only a few weeks pass in the book, Killough-Walden crafts her characters and storyline so well that time seems irrelevant. It doesn’t feel as though Evie and Roman have just met. Their comfort and ease with one another served to solidify Roman’s belief that Evie was made for him and meant to be his queen. Although they don’t consummate their relationship until well into the book, there is plenty of attraction between the pair and it just makes their mating that much hotter. But because the author seems to like her characters to earn their happily ever after, there are forces working against the pair that threaten their very lives.

One of the things I think the author does well is striking a balance between the couple of interest – Roman and Evie – while introducing the reader to the world of The Kings and laying the groundwork for future books in the series. At no point did I feel as though another of the kings was usurping Roman and Evie as the focus; the book is clearly about their developing relationship. Rather the author works Thane and Jason into the action in such a way that you get to know a bit about the men as they help Roman track down the traitor in their midst. Fans of the BBW series will be excited to know that the major players are still involved in The Kings series, with several having prominent roles in The Vampire King. Because of this fans get to catch up with what’s going on with the werewolves and the threat all supernaturals face from the recently reorganized hunters – and I cannot wait to see how that thread plays out over the series. I absolutely loved that I got the opportunity to reread The Vampire King and enjoyed watching Roman and Evie’s story play out all over again. I’m off to read The Phantom King now.

I reviewed my personal copy of this book.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out The Vampire King (The Kings #1) by Heather Killough-Walden blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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An Author's Angst by Maggie Ryan

An Author's Angst by Maggie Ryan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed An Author’s Angst. Venia has been an ever present force within the community, always ready to mentor new Taken in Hands and help out wherever needed, so to see her get her own book was an absolute treat. I don’t know if it escaped my notice or it was never revealed before, but I had no idea that Venia was an author. As a blogger, I have “met” several authors via social media over the course of the past two years and I loved getting to see how Venia dealt with every author’s fear – writer’s block.

Jeffrey was the perfect match for Venia – a well-educated dominant who was not only willing to take her in hand, but he was also willing to tell her the truth when it came to her work in progress. I liked that he wasn’t embarrassed or too manly to read her bodice rippers and took the time to get a feel for her work. It made his feedback on her writing that much more meaningful because he knew what she was capable of. I also appreciated the fact that he took Venia’s lead in the beginning when it came to administering punishment when she technically met her daily writing goal but didn’t complete it on the piece she had to present him. That the author gave us a chance to get to know Jeffrey through his connection with Dina at work and at the science fair made the book that much more interesting – as did getting to catch up with Dina and Brandon. An Author’s Angst was a great addition to the series and I cannot wait to read more from Ryan and Corbin’s Bend.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the An Author’s Angst by Maggie Ryan blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Deadly by Ker Dukey

Deadly by Ker Dukey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Were you ears burning Ms. Dukey? Because I pretty much cussed you out – out loud much to my dog’s dismay – when I got to certain point in the book. It wasn’t nice either. I used words I don’t tend to use unless I’m really angry or upset and you made me both. I know you know what point in the book I’m referring to. You made me cry and the worst part about it was that I didn’t know who I was crying for. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, I absolutely loved this book. Then again I have been fascinated by all of the books in the series because the author creates characters whose insanity is horrifically realistic.

There’s not much I can say about the book itself for fear of revealing spoilers, but I’ll do my best not to let the cat out of the bag. Deadly takes place three years after Vacant and we learn that Ryan is still trying to get Cereus to accept who she is by owning her actions. There are parts of Deadly that are confusing, but they’re meant to be. The book is written from the points of view of Ryan, Cereus, and Blake and only one of those three is actually sane … maybe. We learned in Vacant that Cereus was not only sociopathic like Ryan, but she was also hallucinating – seeing and talking to people who weren’t there. Needless to say, her chapters are those that will make you question what the heck is going on, what’s real, and what is not. Don’t be afraid to reread passages to make sure you grasp what’s going on – remember, crazy people are narrating. Adding to the confusion is that the story begins in the present and jumps to the past so that you can see the events unfold that lead to Cereus and Ryan being where they are – pay attention to chapter and section headers because they will help reduce timeline confusion … maybe. Again, crazy people narrating. As for me, just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took a turn and I was wrong. Boy was I wrong and I was so very glad to be wrong.

I enjoyed getting to catch up with Mel and Blake, even if it wasn’t under the best circumstances. Mel’s visceral reaction to Blake’s betrayal was only surpassed by his reaction to her refusal to keep him in her life. If you have read the previous books in the Empathy series, then you won’t be shocked by the violence in this installment. If you haven’t read them, don’t start with Deadly because none of the books in the series are stand-alone reads. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, romantic suspense, and sociopaths and serial killers, then I strongly recommend this series. Deadly is an excellent addition to it and I love that it ends in such a way that it serves as a conclusion, or an opening for another book. Yet again Ms. Dukey, I am impressed with your mastery of the sociopathic mind.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Deadly by Ker Dukey is Now Available & Reviewed post on Wicked Reads.


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Heart Breaker by Harper Kincaid

Heart Breaker by Harper Kincaid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


So I have been on a really good reading jag as of late and have been handing out 4 & 5-star reviews like crazy. This is due to two things. The first is that I’ve had the opportunity to read or re-read books that I bought from authors I love and share my love of said authors with our blog followers – yeah, just a bit of fan-girling going on. The other reason is that I’ve also had the opportunity to read books by authors I’ve discovered through the blog and have come to really enjoy their writing. Harper Kincaid’s Heart Breaker falls into this second category and I’m surprised to say that I think I may have enjoyed it even more than Rule Breaker and I loved that book pretty thoroughly. I suppose I’ll have to read them back-to-back to know for sure and that will be SUCH a hardship. <=Did the sarcasm come through?

Kincaid sucked me right in with a Prologue that left me devastated. I actually had to put my Kindle down for a good 10 to 15 minutes before I could continue – it was that heartbreaking for me. Yet it gave me a good glimpse into the player that Samantha was before her world was shattered. Understanding her grief, I completely got where she was coming from when she rebuffed Kyle’s advances and I would have loved to have watched that scene play out in a movie. But as their paths continue to cross (in an orchestrated maneuver on Kyle’s part), Sam finally gives in and I can only say WOW!!! The chemistry between the two is intense and it’s what made the morning after so … heartbreaking, frustrating, infuriating, you get the picture. While I loved the relationship Sam has with her sister, I freaking adored Trick and the stunt he pulled was fabulous! Witnessing the emotional upheaval Sam experiences is distressing, but thankfully Kyle proves he knows how to grovel with the best of them and even better, he knows how to admit when he is wrong.

While the book moved quickly, I didn’t feel as though the relationship was an insta-love situation. There was a professional admiration that Kyle had for Sam as he had seen her act in a couple of plays before they ever met, so that “celebrity” attraction was there. But because both have some rather serious baggage – and Kyle’s was freaking fascinating – neither was in a rush to fall in love. They might have been willing to fall into bed after a bit of a pursuit, but their hearts were pulled back as neither wanted to get hurt. But pain is inevitable when love is involved and these two were given quite the lesson as to how much hurt people can endure and still come out swinging. And that suspense element kept me on the edge of my seat as the drama played out. I really did not know what to expect and was impressed with just how much action Kincaid managed to put into the book and maintain a smooth-moving storyline. Heart Breaker was a blast to read, an excellent addition to the Break on Through series, and I cannot wait to read the next one – please let it be Mad Max and Jessica. PLEASE!!!

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Heart Breaker (Break on Through #2) by Harper Kincaid blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers


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The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose

The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have read a string of great sports romances in the past two weeks and The Heat of the Moment is no exception. Once again Ms. Rose combines the right amount of sports and romance with just a bit of conflict and a whole lot of lovin’ to create an enjoyable book that I look forward to reading again. Unlike the earlier books in the series, Gavin is new to the Sonics and New Jersey. Coming from California is enough of a culture shock, doing it during winter when it’s still sunny and warm in Cali makes it worse, but the fact that he’s still recovering from surgery to repair an injury he sustained while playing and has basically been dumped by his team makes it the absolute worst. While Gavin is not exactly pleased about the situation, he’s nowhere near the belligerent player he could have been and still been forgiven for because he got a raw deal. Once the shock of the trade passes, Gavin is determined to get back to his peak physical condition and make the Sonics glad they gambled on him – and if the Dodgers come to realize what they’ve lost by dumping him, well that’s just a bonus for him.

Fortunately for Gavin, what the Sonics lack in club amenities they make up for in staff and his physical therapist not only knows her stuff, but Jessica proves to be quite the unintentional motivator as Gavin comes to realize that he has a weakness for redheads – or at least one redhead. Because Jessica grew up in a home with a father and five brothers who lived, breathed, and ate sports, she not only knows baseball and can talk about it, but she understands that male athlete’s mindset (including an injured one) and Gavin finds himself drawn to her in a way he hasn’t experienced before. But Jessica has been burned by a professional athlete in the past so Gavin doesn’t only have to contend with her need to maintain a professional distance, but also that of a past experience that left a REALLY bad taste in her mouth. Luckily for the reader and Jessica, Gavin understands anything worth having is worth the effort and he’s not only willing to put in the work on his rehabilitation but also on making his physical therapist a permanent part of his life.

I am really enjoying Ms. Rose’s The Boys of Summer series and I liked how she took this book in a direction that gave us a different perspective of the sport, yet kept the book immersed in baseball. There is an immediate comfort level between Gavin and Jessica that makes the way their relationship develops and changes seem real. I did feel that their first time together occurred rather quickly, but then again I believe the author intended it to feel that way. The chemistry between Gavin and Jessica was electric and I loved how quickly a simple kiss could become so much more. I also enjoyed watching Gavin become part of the Sonics and how he cemented those relationships gradually, as would be expected. I will say that I expected more conflict to arise between Roger and Jessica, but I’m actually glad the author chose to keep the conflict between Roger and Gavin instead of having Roger attempt to force the issue with Jessica. I think what impressed me most (outside of the actual romance) was that the author presented the story in such a way that I wasn’t sure as to whether or not Gavin would be able to play once his injury was healed. And nope, I won’t tell you how that turned out. You’re just going to have to read it for yourself. The Heat of the Moment was the perfect addition to The Boys of Summer series and I cannot wait to read more about the New Jersey Sonics.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out The Heat of the Moment by Katie Rose Blog Tour post on Wicked Reads.


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Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn

Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I’m not even sure how to review Vespertine except to say that I absolutely loved this book. It’s definitely one of my top ten for the year and I am so freaking glad I didn’t let its length deter me. I’ve found that while I don’t care for religion in my M/F romances, I actually don’t mind it added to the mix in my M/M romances. In the case of Vespertine, I found it particularly enjoyable because of the message it contains for potential readers – you can reconcile your faith with your sexuality.

As this book deals with the Catholic faith, I found it even more meaningful because while I am not Catholic, my best friend and significant other for almost a decade was and watching him reconcile his faith with his homosexuality was at times heartbreaking. Because of this, I found Jasper’s struggle often hit me hard and I appreciated the solace he found within his beliefs even when they were partially responsible for his distress. I was also glad that his mentor, Thomas, was there to give him the advice and guidance he needed and not the condemnation others within the church hierarchy obviously felt he deserved. But what led to Jasper’s crisis of faith – which isn’t quite accurate because he never lost his faith in God – was Nicky’s return to town to continue his recovery after his release from rehab for drug abuse.

Because Nicky and Jasper were each other’s firsts – first love, first kiss, first sexual experience – there is plenty of sexual tension zinging between them despite Jasper being a priest. That is, after Nicky unloads his anger over Jasper “dumping him for God” all those years ago. Despite the anger and time that has passed, Nicky still loves Jasper but he is hell-bent on not crossing that line because he knows that he cannot survive losing Jasper to God a second time. This is one of the aspects of the book I really liked – that the authors did not make Nicky out to be the man sent to seduce Jasper from God’s path. Their history and friendship allowed the authors to infuse humor into the story when needed and do so in a way that it felt natural. [On a side note: I never thought I’d find a bunny massacre funny, much less hilarious and yet I did. You’ll have to read the book to understand that one.] I loved watching these two men rebuild their friendship and support the other when it was needed. The addition of Blue Oasis, the LGBTQ youth home, added a facet to the story that not only provided opportunities for the reader to get to know both men, but it was pivotal to Jasper’s choices for his future. I loved that I wasn’t sure of where the authors were going to take the story. I knew what I hoped for and I knew what I wanted to happen, but I found myself uncertain on more than one occasion as to how things would play out for and between Jasper and Nicky. And I loved that. In fact, there is a point towards the end when the story really picks up and the uncertainty ratcheted up so much that I stayed up reading until 3am because I had to know how it ended. Suffice it to say, I loved Vespertine and found the ending to be perfect for Jasper and Nicky.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the Vespertine by Leta Blake & Indra Vaughn blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Resilience by Bailey Bradford

Resilience by Bailey Bradford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Unlike the previous books in the Southwestern Shifters series, Resilience does not pick up where Rendered left off and continue the series’ storyline. Instead it goes back to before Gabe met Mika in the first book of the series, Rescued, and we meet the Todd that was physically and mentally abused by his parents despite being an adult and bullied by his boss – the town sheriff that Gabe was trying to keep from killing strays by rescuing them. As painful as it was to see what Todd endured, it helped put some of his behaviors in perspective. There’s enough history provided that you understand why Gabe was so important to Todd, why Mika’s sudden appearance in Gabe’s life unsettled Todd, and why he had such a hard time interacting with Adam when the new vet moved to town and set up shop. While the timeline of Resilience overlaps with all of the previous books, its focus is on Todd, Adam, and their relationship so it’s not a replay of the other books.

The history that Bradford crafted for Todd is heartbreaking. I hated seeing the little bits and pieces that played out in the book because it was awful knowing that the abuse he was subjected to growing up was even worse. I was surprised to learn that Todd hadn’t confided in Gabe as to his own homosexuality and it wasn’t until Adam moved to town that Gabe finally broached the subject. Although we aren’t provided as much of Adam’s background as we are Todd’s, it becomes obvious rather quickly that Adam has his own baggage. Although Adam moved to Shasta with the intention of becoming a bit of a spinster (for lack of a better term), he finds himself attracted to Todd almost immediately. There are times when each man’s apprehension and caution are amusing, but I was relieved when Adam became aware of Todd’s inexperience and exercised patience and understanding as he helped Todd find his way. The attraction between the two men is almost immediate but because of their respective pasts and the (seemingly) bigoted nature of Shasta, they are very slow to act upon it and attempt to go the friend route first. But when they do finally get together, they are scorching hot and their subsequent couplings are increasingly so as the book progresses.

There is a TON of stuff that occurs in this book that I simply can’t discuss because of spoiler issues, but I will say that the action is far more intense than I expected for Todd and Adam’s book. I was glad to see that Todd’s father and boss both got what they deserved and it’s a shame that Todd’s mother didn’t as well. I loved seeing the town rally behind Todd and Adam and it was as heartwarming to see as watching Todd and Adam fall in love. It’s not often that I comment on a book’s cover, but I must say that I was surprised by the cover for Resilience as both Todd and Adam are human. It’s not until almost 80% into the book before the wolf on the cover is explained and I must admit that it was AWESOME! I really didn’t see that coming, but I shouldn’t have doubted Bradford. Resilience was an excellent addition to the Southwestern Shifters series and I’m looking forward to reading Reverence next.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the #ShiftWithMe: Resilience blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Reverence by Bailey Bradford

Reverence by Bailey Bradford

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Reverence returns fans to the ongoing series storyline that was last visited at the end of Rendered. Up to bat is Harley, the human that Joshua Dobson kidnapped and terrorized back when he was trying to get Alex off of his trail. Not surprisingly Harley trusts no shifters and cannot leave Marcus’s territory fast enough when finally given the okay to return home, no matter how strong of a pull he was feeling from the unconscious and injured shifter he discovered in the infirmary. Because he doesn’t trust shifters, he refuses to tell Nathan and Marcus what Joshua did to him except to confirm that he was not raped. But as Harley sorts through his memories we learn that although he might not have been penetrated by Joshua or any of his men, he was violated. In an effort to “escape” his memories and nightmares, Harley begins clubbing, drinking, getting high, and hooking up with random strangers. It is during one of his clubbing nights that he encounters Val.

Unbeknownst to Harley, Val is a shifter. He’s another of Joshua’s victims and he’s been sent by Marcus and Nathan to insure Harley’s safety – with strict instructions NOT to mess with him. Due to the injuries he sustained when Joshua hit him with the Hummer, Val doesn’t ping Harley’s shifter-radar but he does set off Harley’s gaydar and Val is firmly in his sights for the night. While I didn’t like that Val was injured, I had to agree with both men that having Val’s wolf-side suppressed was probably the best thing that could have happened once they realized they were mates. After what Harley endured at Joshua’s hands, there was no way he would have accepted an aggressive shifter for a partner let alone as a mate. And while they didn’t wait long before getting sexual – and good grief was the alley scene HOT (only in books is making out in an alley sexy) – they did take it slow (by shifter standards) and got to know and trust one another better before they fully consummated their relationship. I enjoyed watching them connect emotionally and building the level of trust needed for a non-shifter relationship. It also made for some hot foreplay and sex scenes.

In addition to having Reverence pick the series thread back up, I liked how Bradford dropped in references from Resilience so that fans can identify where the books’ timelines overlapped. I really liked the introduction of Harley’s brother and am excited to find out where that storyline will take series as well because something is seriously brewing there. Reverence is another great addition to the Southwestern Shifters series and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Harley and Val heal mentally and physically so that they could start their lives post-Joshua Dobson anew … with each other. I am looking forward to reading Revolution so that I can find out what happened to Adam’s friend Jameson as well as catching up with Adam and Todd.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Melissa's Saving Grace by Corinne Alexander

Melissa's Saving Grace by Corinne Alexander

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I hate to say it, but I don’t like age play books – they’re just not my cup of tea. I really didn’t read the blurb before I started Melissa’s Saving Grace, but even if I had I’m not sure I would have picked up on the subtle suggestion within it that points to age play. Truth be told, I’m glad I didn’t because if I had this probably would have been the first Corbin’s Bend book I opted not to read and I would have missed out on a really great book otherwise.

Ms. Alexander throws the reader in the deep end as we watch Melissa have what appears to be a bit of a breakdown in the middle of a night club – this scene was both sad and terrifying as I felt Melissa’s pain as well as the danger she faced when she passed out in the club while she was alone. Fortunately, Melissa owns a rather distinct vehicle and her friend Jason sees it in the club’s parking lot, goes in to check on her, and comes to her rescue. While still new to Corbin’s Bend, Jason has developed a close friendship with Melissa and the danger she put herself in upset him a lot, so when she mouths off about him spanking her he picks up the gauntlet – or should I say paddle – and proceeds to show her that he’s not afraid punishing her will ruin their friendship. The next day Jason does something I did not expect – he actually initiates the conversation with Melissa about how the spanking made him realize he wanted more from their relationship.

I have to say that I really liked how the author approached the age play aspect. When it first appeared in the book, it occurred so subtly that neither I nor Melissa realized it was occurring. But when the subject is purposefully introduced, it occurs initially through Melissa’s researching the subject and primarily as conversations between her and Jason and not until about 75% into the book. Because the focus of the novella is on Melissa, her PTSD and related issues, and the Domestic Discipline relationship she is building with Jason, the age play is actually a very small element within the story and this made it easier for me to read. I loved the chemistry between Jason and Melissa and found their sex scenes to be very steamy. What really fascinated me was Melissa’s PTSD and how it affected her life. Despite the serious nature of this book, Ms. Alexander did manage to make me laugh in the scene when Melissa comes to the realization that there is nothing sexy about having one’s mouth washed out with soap. Although I did not enjoy all aspects of the book, I found Melissa’s Saving Grace to be a really good read and a great addition to Corbin’s Bend Season Three.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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The Complications of T by Bey Deckard

The Complications of T by Bey Deckard

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


As I have yet to read a book featuring a transgendered person as one of the romantic leads, I felt compelled to sign-up for this review. The Complications of T is a 53-page novelette, so I figured that if for some reason I decided a trans-romance wasn’t for me it was short enough to not be an issue (I’ll explain in a bit how this actually backfired on me). That the blurb was interesting on its own made The Complications of T an easy yes for me. And I am oh so glad that I got to read it because it was a great book.

Not surprisingly, Tim being transgendered affected the romantic aspect that Deckard crafted not one iota for me. I really didn’t expect it to but with anything new, you really don’t know how you’re going to react until you actually experience it. And that’s kind of the point of the book as well. When Stuart and Tim first meet, Stuart is beyond wasted and only moments from having his shame plastered all over social media. Fortunately Tim recognizes him and the potential damage the unfolding drama may have on Stuart’s already floundering acting career and hauls him off before anything serious can happen. Being drunk, Stuart isn’t sure if he can trust his eyes – which are telling him his rescuer is female – or his ears – which heard his rescuer say her name was Tim. Obviously nothing happened that night, but the following day Stuart finds himself faced with an individual that he has no clue as to whether he is a she or she is a he. After a rather frank discussion between two people who are relative strangers, Stuart admits his attraction to Tim and what follows is an extremely hot scene that showed Stuart just how compatible he and Tim were. And they agree to spend the next few days together, getting to know one another while Stuart gets his head on straight. But when their time is up and Stuart pushes for more, Tim offers a compromise that I found well-thought out and quite proactive considering their respective careers.

Thankfully Deckard didn’t torture us with the terms of the compromise and I mean that in the good way. I don’t know that I could have endured their separation with either one of them today because I didn’t want to pine. I wanted Stuart and Tim together ASAP. This is where the book’s short length came back to bite me in the rear because when I got to the end, I wanted more! I would love to see the author write a sequel to The Complications of T as I want to know what happens next. How they deal with the paparazzi that comes with Stuart being an actor? How far does their relationship continue to develop? How hot would it be when Stuart and Tim reversed their roles in the bedroom? I just wanted to keep on reading about the couple and a sequel would give me an excuse to reread The Complications of T sooner rather than later.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Ryker by Sawyer Bennett

Ryker by Sawyer Bennett

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I LOVED RYKER!!! But seriously, how can you not love a book that starts with a single dad making his little girl giggle by asking her if aliens have landed? Then Ms. Bennett follows that up by showing said dad, who is the 6-foot-6 goalie for the Cold Fury hockey team, being terrified of a spider. One of the best book openers ever. I was laughing at and falling in love with Ryker all at the same time. Add to that a tough-as-nails leading lady who refuses to be intimidated by men twice her size and has no qualms taking on the job as general manager for the Cold Fury hockey team or the soon-to-be ex-wife who’s come to realize that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side and it was a total winner in my book.

Ms. Bennett addresses the double standard that many professional women face and does it in a unique setting. Right off the bat, Gray is greeted with disdain by some players solely for being a woman. It doesn’t matter that she played hockey in the Olympics twice and medaled both times, nor that she was responsible for recruiting a large number of the players on the team as the head scout, they’re disturbed by the fact that she has to sit to pee. Surprisingly little is made of the fact that her father is the team’s owner as there is far more hate slung at her simply because she wears a skirt – and she does because Gray is proud of the fact that she is a woman and refuses to hide it because she knows what she’s capable of. Unlike some of his teammates, Ryder holds her in high regard because she is responsible for getting him signed with Cold Fury and when she explains her management style, he is even more impressed with her ideas for the team’s future. But he is equally astounded when he finally sees her as a woman and wonders how he missed all that before and how he’s supposed to keep his hands off of her now. Because the attraction is not a one-way street, a good amount of sexual tension builds and it is hot when it finally explodes. The chemistry between Gray and Ryker is off the charts and that makes the fact that they have to hide their relationship even worse. This is where the double standard comes in because if anyone were to find out that she is involved with one of the players, her reputation would be shredded even though as the general manager she has absolutely nothing to do with who plays when.

The conflict that arises when Ryker’s soon-to-be ex (just waiting on the judge to sign-off) tries to reconcile makes for some serious and entertaining scenes. I was flabbergasted when Hensley found out about Ryker and Gray and had the nerve to call Gray a homewrecker. Seriously!?!?! Woman you cheated on your husband and left him for one of his teammates, willingly leaving your daughters with their father so you could travel with your new man and you’re calling Gray a homewrecker? I had some unpublishable names for that woman! And I for one did not feel bad at all with the threat that Ryker made to Hensley if she exposed his and Gray’s relationship because her threat was uncalled for. I had no sympathy for that woman. As scary as it was, the incident between Gray and the dismissed team player was just what she needed to make her realize what was truly important in her life. That she had a great dad who helped her to set the stage for the best possible outcome made the outing of Gray and Ryker’s relationship perfect. I absolutely loved Ryker and am already salivating for more of Ms. Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
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Tarnished by Erica Chilson Blog Tour

Royce Kennedy believes he has the town of Rusty Knob and its citizens in the palm of his hand. For altruistic reasons, of course. A real man takes care of his land and the people on it, whether they want to accept the help or not.

After fostering an orphan, adopting underprivileged kids, creating businesses to bring jobs back to the area, donating his time, energy, and money by founding the Community Growth: Life Skills Center, people are beginning to wonder if the man is running a campaign to earn the status of a saint.

Royce’s family is getting frustrated by idly watching their patriarch spread himself too thin, because he won’t allow them to shoulder his burdens or their own. Drastic measures are taken before the man can see reason. When the dust finally settles, Royce realizes he’s been taking care of everyone but himself.

But there’s a problem with sorting out your issues, with the clarity of mind, you can’t hide from the good, bad, and downright filthy secrets buried in the depths of your past.

With dark, violent, depraved skeletons, Rusty Knob’s patriarch isn’t as pure of soul as he appears to be. Will he finally surrender and accept the help to buff the tarnish away?

Just because it’s the moral thing to do, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

“Our very own Wynn Gillette has prepared a speech for us today. Rusty Knob’s valedictorian, 2015 Basketball State Champion, and recipient of a basketball scholarship to West Virginia University.” Miriam gestures to the podium, and then takes a seat on stage.

“My God, Wynn’s glowing like a supernova.” Mesmerized, Kade’s pupils are blown. “I will not be held accountable for my actions after graduation.”

Striding across the stage like he owns the place, Wynn turns on a dime to face the auditorium with a huge grin stretching across his face. He clears his throat twice, lifts his index cards, and memorizes a few lines. His lips twist into an expression I’ve never seen grace my son’s face before. A warped mix of excitement and fury, tarnishing what should have been a proud moment.

“I prepared a speech for today,” Wynn begins in a defiant tone. “It was going to be poignant, proving how eloquent of a speaker I am after growing up in the hollers. I was going to hit on how isolation breeds ignorance, not a lack of intelligence. I was going to put a voice to my struggles, being the youngest of poor white, abusive, drunk trash. How I was adopted at seventeen. How through all of that, I maintained a high GPA and led our basketball team to victory.”

Wynn raises the cards in his hands, and tears them down the center while wearing a rebellious smirk– the microphone picks up the audible ripping sound, causing it to echo around the auditorium. Speech fluttering to the ground, he releases all of the pent-up rage he’s held on to for far too long.

Hands gripping the edge of the podium, Wynn leans into the microphone with eyes blazing fury. “I agree with Francis Parker. Fuck you, Rusty Knob!” Slowly enunciating, words quiet, they hit their intended targets like ammunition fired from a gun. “Fuck! You!”

Deafening silence rings throughout the auditorium, and I have no idea where Wynn is leading with this, and no one else does either. I crank my head around wildly, trying to gauge the reaction from the crowd.

“Rusty Knob?” Wynn cups a hand to his ear. “Can you hear me now? You’ve been mighty deaf lately. For the past seven months, I’ve either been called a faggot or patted on the back for being courageous. Both reactions were insulting– both insinuating something is wrong with me. Whether we’re at fault or not, it doesn’t change the fact that this school fired my boyfriend because we’re gay. So fuck you!”

Kade leans forward, releasing a noise I hope to never hear again. I yank the idiot back by the collar before he crawls on stage.

“But I owe you a thank you,” Wynn circles back, finally having our undivided attention. “Thank you for the education, for allowing me to make the most of it. I hope your eyes and ears are now open to the sources of education all around you. I’m no longer ignorant, so thank you.”

Wynn reclaims his seat while whispers roll through the auditorium, all versions of ‘what the fuck was that?’ Miriam has everything under control. Whatever speeches and events planned for the ceremony are cut in the wake of the chaos weaving its way through the auditorium.

Miriam walks to the farthest part of the stage near the steps. One of her helper monkeys on the school board hands her rolled up fake diplomas from a woven basket. Child after child crosses the stage, exiting down the stairs to join their family members as a high school graduate– an adult.

☆☆☆☆☆

Once again, in the interest of full disclosure I will begin my review of Tarnished by letting you know that I was one of the beta readers for this book. Yes, despite the fact that I got so sucked into Rusty Knob that I missed errors (I know this because of comparing notes with the betas), Ms. Chilson graciously allowed me to take part in the beta read for Tarnished. Needless to say, I was beside myself with glee because upon finishing Wynn’s story, I was dying to learn Royce’s. Again, I got sucked into the story so fully that despite reading it twice, I’m sure that I missed errors that the other betas caught. But let me tell you folks, I blame Ms. Chilson for writing a tale that is so engaging that I forgot my duty and immersed myself once again in the town of Rusty Knob.

A few things you need to know about Tarnished. Unlike Rusty Knob and the remaining books of the series, it is an M/F romance. Before the strictly M/M readers ick out and bail ship, you should know that first and foremost, Tarnished is a romantic suspense novel. This means the focus is on the secrets from Royce’s past and the suspense that accompanies their revelations. Yes, there is a romantic element and there are sex scenes – and they are seriously hot – but you can skim past them if you’re a strict M/M reader because this is NOT a book to be missed. While Royce’s romantic parts are M/F, the LGBTQ theme is continued in this installment as we get to see Wynn and Kade’s relationship continue to develop as well as learn of what they have endured since their “coming out” to the town’s residents. And let me tell you that Wynn’s valedictorian speech is not to be missed, but make sure you have your tissues handy when you hit the graduation scene because I bawled both times. The author also gives us more insight into Bren as she lays the foundation for his book in such a way that I was left with my mouth hanging open. Literally. Thank goodness there were no flies around.

Next, Royce’s story is a darker read than Wynn’s. If you picked up on Royce’s reactions and statements in book one, you would expect it to be so this shouldn’t be a surprise. It was clear in Rusty Knob that Royce loves his sons fully whether they are his by blood, adoption, or foster care and their sexuality is not an issue for him nor does it diminish his love for them whatsoever. This point is made even clearer in Tarnished even as the author reveals the events from Royce’s past that could have easily made him feel differently. To be clear, while this book certainly has darker tones to it, the author reveals the incidents via memories and therapy sessions in such a way that the reader knows what happened without having to relive every horrific detail with Royce. So while I know what happened to Royce and how it has affected him, Ms. Chilson didn’t subject me to graphic and grisly details of his past simply to shock me as the reader – which considering the tone set by Wynn’s story – would have been a serious case of whiplash.

And speaking of Wynn, Tarnished reveals that there is so much more going on in the lives of the people of Rusty Knob than Wynn knew. In blog and Facebook posts, Chilson has reiterated time and time again that books written in the first person (her style of writing) are meant to suffer from the faulty narrator, meaning that you can only know what the narrator knows. Despite having read almost every book she’s published, I never appreciated this concept as fully as I did once I finished reading Tarnished. If you read my review of Rusty Knob you know that I despised, hated, loathed, and detested Wynn’s parents. Yet by the end of Tarnished I had not only changed my opinion of Wynn’s father, but I actually cried for Corbin. Granted, Wynn was 16 year-old kid who couldn’t possibly know everything about the adults in his life, but as memories are revisited and facts are unveiled, we learn that there was more going on in Rusty Knob than even Royce knew and my entire viewpoint of Corbin Gillette has changed, which makes me rabid for more of the series to find out who else has me and the narrators fooled. Willa definitely fell into this category as well because there was so much more going on in her life that Wynn wasn’t privy to and rightly shouldn’t have been in the know about.

The hardest part about writing my review for Tarnished is not spilling the beans because there are a LOT of secrets revealed in this installment. I found myself shocked, dismayed, angered, flabbergasted, relieved, devastated, and over-the-moon happy as I read this book. I laughed, I cried, I squirmed, I groaned, and I fell in love once again with the characters as well as the author’s writing. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I will say it again, Ms. Chilson writes the first person point of view beautifully and her skill improves with each book she writes. I don’t feel as though I’m being told a story, but rather that I am living the character’s life in that moment. Tarnished was no exception as I got to experience Royce’s fear, hate, happiness, passion, and love as it occurred. This is yet another of the author’s books to be added to my reread shelf and I’m looking forward to reading Rusty Knob and Tarnished back-to-back and can only hope that the West Virginia muse comes a-knockin’ on the author’s door sooner rather than later so I can get my hands on the next book in the series, Stainless.

Also Available in the Rusty Knob Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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Erica Chilson does not write in the 3rd person, wanting her readers to be her characters. Therefore, writing a bio about herself, is uncomfortable in the extreme.

Born, raised, and here to stay, the Wicked Writer is a stump-jumper, a ridge-runner. Hailing from North Central Pennsylvania, directly on the New York State border; she loves the changes in seasons, the humid air, all the mountainous forest, and the gloomy atmosphere.

Introverted, but not socially awkward, Erica prides herself on thinking first and filtering her speech. There are days she doesn’t speak at all. If it wasn’t for the fact that she lives with her parents, giving her a sense of reality, she would be a hermit, where the delivery man finds her months after expiration.

Reading was an escape, a way to leave a not-so pleasant reality behind. Reading lent Erica the courage she gathered from the characters between the pages to long for a different life. Writing was an instrument of change, evolving Erica into the woman she is today- a better, more mature, more at peace thinker.

Erica has a wicked mind, one she pours out into her creations. Her filter doesn’t allow all of it to erupt, much to her relief. Sarcastic, with a very dark, perverse sense of humor, Erica puts a bit of herself into every character she writes.

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I was provided a free copy of Tarnished (Rusty Knob #2) by Erica Chilson to read and review.

Clan, Honor, and Empire by Tracy St. John

Clan, Honor, and Empire by Tracy St. John

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


St. John’s Clan Beginnings series just keeps getting better and better. I actually like the fact that the author is jumping around in the telling of the different clans’ beginnings and how they came to be before they met their Matara. In the case of Clan, Honor, and Empire, we find out how the first Kalquorian clan we ever met was formed. Yes, this is the story of Clan Rajhir – the men who became the first to take an Earther as their Matara after discovering that they were genetically compatible. Let me tell you folks, this was a treat to read for me.

Perhaps because this is the third book in the series, the author seems even more comfortable in crafting the tales of Clan Rajhir’s forming and by breaking it down into the two sections it actually felt like being treated to two full-length novels in one. In book one we find out how Dramok Rajhir finds his eventual Imdiko when his much aggrieved Dramok father forces him to take on the responsibility of his position sooner rather than later. I found Rajhir’s job interview quite humorous and rather telling of Rajhir’s shortcoming – often underestimating the situation and those around him. This is why his reaction to Flencik was so enjoyable for me because despite his best intentions to live up his youth, Rajhir soon found himself ready to start his clan years ahead of schedule. The man does know how to recognize a good thing when he sees it. The action and espionage that is infused within book one keeps the story moving and makes the rise in Rajhir’s protective nature for his Imdiko-to-be understandable.

I enjoyed the heck out of book one and watching that part of Clan Rajhir form, but book two was my favorite part of Clan, Honor, and Empire because seeing how Breft became the Nobek of Clan Rajhir was absolutely delightful. Honestly, the scene in which Breft is clanned had me snickering at Rajhir and his reaction. Even better was Flencik putting his foot down and reminding Rajhir that being an Imdiko did not mean Flencik was weak and the man would fight for what he wanted. While there was plenty of outside action and intrigue threatening the men, it was the watching the relationship between the three develop that I enjoyed the most as there was a lot of conflict between Rajhir and Breft that had to be worked through as well as Breft learning how to be the Nobek he was meant to be yet hadn’t quite become due to his youth. Both parts had plenty of man-on-man and man-on-man-on-man action to keep me well satisfied – oh the benefits of youth. I loved Clan, Honor, and Empire and am ecstatic that Clan and Crown has just been released – now I just have to find the time to read it.

I reviewed my personal copy of this book.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Wedding Favors by Anne Tenino

Wedding Favors by Anne Tenino

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have been wishing for this book to be written ever since I read the novelette Helping Hand in the Bluewater Bay Valentine’s Day anthology Lights, Camera, Cupid. I really enjoyed the story and even commented in my review that I hoped the author planned to write a full-length novel about Gabe and Lucas and that’s exactly what Wedding Favors is. The best part – I didn’t even realize it was the follow-up to Helping Hand until I started reading the book. Now if you haven’t read Helping Hand yet don’t fret because Wedding Favors takes place twelve years later and the references to events from the novelette will bring you up to speed – but Lights, Camera, Cupid is a great read so I do recommend it.

I loved both Lucas and Gabe. When Lucas left Bluewater Bay a dozen years ago, he set out to make a name for himself as an artist. Throughout the course of the book, we learn that Lucas is an extremely talented artist and has made a name for himself in the fine crafts art style – art that is aesthetically pleasing and functional. While Lucas clearly enjoys creating fine crafts, his passion seems to lie with creating sculptures. Just as Gabe did, I enjoyed the scenes when Lucas got lost in his art because unlike Gabe we were given peeks inside Lucas’s head at times and got to experience his creative process. I am not an artistically creative person so I found it fascinating and would have loved to have seen the wedding favors Lucas created. Even knowing that he was gay, I was surprised with just how open and affectionate Gabe was toward Lucas and found it kind of amusing that it was Gabe who was relieved that Lucas was accepting of his need to touch. Despite Gabe being a logger/farmer and Lucas being an artist, their lifestyles complemented one another well. Because Gabe works the family’s land and has horses to tend to, his is not a 9 to5 Monday through Friday job and his past partners didn’t seem to understand that, but as an artist who creates when inspiration strikes (or when he has to design and create favors for his best friend’s wedding) Lucas didn’t need to be entertained while Gabe had work to do. More often than not, Gabe found himself waiting on Lucas – which was a refreshing change for him.

Even though much of what goes on between Gabe and Lucas is colored by the incident in Helping Hand you really don’t have to read it because we learn that the two men have distinctly different memories and interpretations of that night. I was relieved to find out that I was right about Gabe and what happened that Valentine’s night twelve years ago. But their memories of that night do have a huge impact on how they act and react to one another. Lucas is extremely gun-shy around Gabe and we learn that his relationship with his ex, Drew, did nothing to help his self-esteem at all. Thankfully Gabe “gets” Lucas better than anyone ever has and he does a great job of reassuring Lucas…until he doesn’t and nearly rips Lucas’s heart out. I really enjoyed watching their relationship play out – yes, even the heartbreaking parts and especially the hot sex scenes. Apparently there is something to be said for pining for a guy for 12 years. I loved Wedding Favors and the fact that I got to see “the rest of the story.” I’m looking forward to the next Bluewater Bay book already.

Review copy of this book was purchased by the blog.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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